Brightwheel vs Kangarootime

Brightwheel9.3Visit Kangarootime9.0Visit

Higher score Brightwheel #1 in Childcare Management Software 9.3/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Brightwheel

vs

Kangarootime #4 in Childcare Management Software 9.0/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Kangarootime

• Brightwheel fits best

  Multi-site centers needing comprehensive operations

• Kangarootime fits best

  Centers wanting broad features with a free plan

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Side by side

Feature	Brightwheel 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Kangarootime 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	9.0
Ranking	#1 in Childcare Management Software	#4 in Childcare Management Software
Best for	Multi-site centers needing comprehensive operations	Centers wanting broad features with a free plan
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	—
Free plan	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Live chat, Email, Community, Docs	Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Docs
Integrations	7 integrations	2 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Brightwheel 1/5 · Kangarootime 1/5
Enrollment forms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Attendance tracking	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Family messaging	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Billing and payments	✓	✓
Staff scheduling	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Parent app	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Covers enrollment, attendance, billing, learning, and compliance Supports multi-site roles, permissions, reporting, and staff time tracking Offers web, iOS, Android, and childcare-focused integrations	Free plan covers registration, attendance, enrollment, and waitlists Combines billing, staffing, lesson planning, and family communication Web, iOS, and Android access with multi-location reporting
Cons	Pricing requires a personalized quote Does not currently hold SOC 2 certification Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of smaller programs	Free plan is limited to one program and school Premium and Enterprise pricing is not shown as a numeric amount Advanced features require upgrading to Premium or Enterprise
Our verdict	Brightwheel is a cloud-based childcare management platform for preschools, child care centers, educators, staff, and families. It brings enrollment forms, admissions packets, applications, waitlists, billing, attendance, messaging,… Read the review →	Kangarootime is a childcare management platform for center owners, directors, teachers, and families. It brings enrollment applications, offers, forms, contracts, waitlists, billing, attendance, classroom records, staff management, and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Brightwheel — where it wins

  • Covers enrollment, attendance, billing, learning, and compliance
  • Supports multi-site roles, permissions, reporting, and staff time tracking
  • Offers web, iOS, Android, and childcare-focused integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires a personalized quote
  • Does not currently hold SOC 2 certification
  • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of smaller programs

• Kangarootime — where it wins

  • Free plan covers registration, attendance, enrollment, and waitlists
  • Combines billing, staffing, lesson planning, and family communication
  • Web, iOS, and Android access with multi-location reporting

  Where it doesn't

  • Free plan is limited to one program and school
  • Premium and Enterprise pricing is not shown as a numeric amount
  • Advanced features require upgrading to Premium or Enterprise

• Brightwheel9.3/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad childcare suite for centers managing enrollment, billing, learning, and compliance.

  Visit BrightwheelFull verdict →
• Kangarootime9.0/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A broad childcare platform with enrollment, billing, staffing, and family tools.

  Visit KangarootimeFull verdict →